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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Stephen Winnington <steve101@live.com>
Reply-To: eramos1950@yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2017 17:43:38 +0100
Subject: Please read carefully and reply soon

Dear Friend,

I know this email must come to you as a surprise in that we have neither
met nor spoken before, but I believe that it takes just a contact for
people to meet and become great friends and business partners. This is a
personal and private letter directed to you and I request that it be
treated as such.

My name is Stephen G. Winnington, a Retiree. I was the personal
Financial Advisor to a late Client that died in a car crash along with
his immediate family members on the 16th of August 2007. Shortly after
his death, I was directed by his bank to locate any of his extended
relatives whom shall be claimant/beneficiary of his fixed deposit
account with the bank valued at Eight Million Great British Pounds
(£8,000,000.00). I tried my best to locate any of his family members but
all such efforts were unsuccessful. I also sought the assistance of his
original Home Country Embassy here in London in locating any of his
relatives without any success. Just last week, I received yet another
letter from the holding bank indicating that proceedings for the
forfeiture of this fund to the British Government in line with enabling
laws will be initiated if no Next of Kin comes forward to claim the fund
by the 10th anniversary of his death being 16th of August this year
(2017). Considering the amount of fund involved and non productive use
it could be subjected to should this happen, I decided to urgently
search for a credible and trusted mature individual with same last name
as my late Client to partner with in diverting this fund to a foreign
bank account anywhere for onward sharing between us.

To commence the process of claim and transfer of this fund to your
designated bank account, you need firstly signify your interest by
return mail, and I give you full details regarding this deal on gaining
your confidence. Rest assured that there are no risks involved as all
process involved in achieving a smooth transfer of this fund to your
nominated account would be legally followed. Do also note that I have
with me, copies of the original documents to the fixed deposit account
needed to give credence and legitimacy to the claim. The documents were
entrusted in my care by my late Client days after making the fixed
deposit, so you need not entertain any fears. Also note that from my
discreet investigation, successful transfer of the

Fund to your nominated account can be achieved within 16 Banking days of
signifying your interest. Like I said, I require only a solemn
confidentiality on this. Please, include your Private and confidential
Phone number (preferably Mobile) in your reply.

Best regards,

Stephen G. Winnington

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